Judges 2:10-23 WHEN THE JUDGE WAS DEAD Sometimes it seems like we are wasting our time trying to teach the next generation the principles and practices that have been tested and proven to work for many past generations. There is an apathetic attitude toward God and His word, and yet people say they are "spiritual." There was another generation: (Judg.2:10) who in mind "Knew not the Lord." They would know all about the Lord but didn't know Him. "They forsook the Lord." This was a deliberate choice on their part. Even more, in their heart, they "Did evil." They served Baalim (the fertility god - Ashtaroth) and followed other gods of those who lived in the land that Israel did not fully possess. These who should have known better, in their self will, "Bowed themselves ---provoked the Lord." The Lord's response to that departure was anger and in sovereign governmental dealings, used nations against them. Then He raised up judges from among their tribes to bring their sin before them and lead them back to God. The judges were "deliverers." The potential was there but a judge couldn't change peoples' hearts. The Lord "sold them" into the hand of Chushanrishathim (doubly wicked Chushan). There is only one Holy Spirit, and He "bears witness with our spirit" when we are born again and have the new nature that God gives to His true children. The Holy Spirit living in a believer is always there to guide us "into all truth," reveal Christ to us and show us "things to come." The attraction of the new generation to idolatry and sensual living, while maintaining a religious form, is usually because there has been no new birth.
However, there are times when a young Christian gets caught up in the cycle of sin time after time because the previous generation has failed to clearly teach the next generation to wholly obey, follow and love the Lord. Understanding doesn't too often come the first time a lesson or principle is taught. The application of truth in the affairs of everyday life and of assembly life has to be practical enough that the learner knows right away whether what they do, or don't do, is right. The practice of one generation passing on the truth of God to the next was a key feature of the law. They were to pass on the practical effects of obedience to truth to "their children, and their children's children."
In assembly life the saints need to commit the truth of gathering to the Lord's name alone to those who may look upon the fellowship of which we are a part as just another one of the evangelical churches in the area. There is a uniqueness about God's truth that does not blend in with the practices that are popular to the majority of people. Loyalty to the Lord has a cost to it that many do not want to pay. The Baal-worship of the people the Israelites let stay and lived among was attractive because there were things they could see and do. They didn't need faith. Baal worshippers created their own god to suit themselves. They believed it affected the weather and rain so small Baals we set up at brooks, in front of trees or wherever there was something that moved or had life. If they worshipped Baal, they believed they would have a fruitful harvest.
But there was an even more evil practice both in the worship of Baal and Ashtoreth. Prostitution and child- sacrifice were practiced in the name of religion. Selfishness is at the center of man's "will worship." It was what motivated the people in the time of the judges and it is still prevalent today in the wicked evil practices of those who know not God. Strangely, the "people of God" were attracted to this. The sensual worship practiced by those around them turned them away from the Lord to succumb to the world, the flesh and the devil. It is not uncommon for people to abandon what is right for expediency, acceptance and pleasure that is practiced by those who don't know God. Even Christians sometimes want those who have no interest in God at all, to be their close friends. Jesus was "a friend of publicans and sinners" but never did what they did. Some say, "We have to be like them to win them." The truth is that they will not be won to the Lord until they see something in Christians and Christianity that attracts them to Christ and they know what they need is found only in Him.
Idolatry is a fundamental sin because it denies God. To disregard God Himself taught in the first two commandments, leads to all the sins that follow in the Ten Commandments. Idolatry is evil in spite of what modern man might say. Idols of one kind or another are followed to satisfy the immoral, carnal and sensual part of the natural man who "wants to feel good about himself." There is no way idolatry and the worship of the One True God can blend. They are diametrically opposed. God is spiritual, moral and holy and there is no possibility of fellowship between light and darkness
Looking forward God had a strategy against complacency. Rather than allow Israel to wallow in apathy, He used the pockets of resistance to "test Israel." He desired people who knew how to trust Him in battle. These inexperienced ones had to learn that victory comes not from wisdom or skill but from a faithful God. Why does God not take away our sinful nature? Why do we have so many areas of weakness? Why so many unsolved problems in even the most biblically faithful fellowship? In order to shake us out of apathy and to teach us how to trust Him, God allows the difficulties to take place. We cannot stand still in our Christian experience. We advance or perish. Apathetic men accomplish nothing. Apathy and lowered motivation are the most widely noted characteristics of a nation on a downward path.
In spite of the evil in which the children of Israel participated, the nations around showed their true colors as enemies and tested them until they were groaning under servitude and oppression. Even though they deserved nothing from God, in mercy He raised up judges who could see what was happening to the people of God. Through these true heroes of faith who warned, taught and guided the people back to the Lord, there came deliverance from the oppressors. And God accepted them back even though they did not deserve His mercy.
When we rebel against God's revealed will and act and live in disobedience to Him, our enemies will overwhelm us until we become like them. or else repent and turn to God. There were God-fearing judges among the nation of Israel who were loyal to God. He used them to deliver His people and bring them back into fellowship with Him. Restoration can take place even through there will be consequences to our actions with which we will have to live. In Israel as long as the judge lived, the people followed his leadership. When he died, the awful cycle of sin began again.
We need to commit ourselves in loyalty and faithfulness to God in spite of what other people may do or the difficult situations of life in which we are found. Believers need each other in order to not be turned aside to modern day thought and religion. To be steadfast and unmovable is not easy without help. Religious activities that appeal to the flesh are only for man's interest, not God's. A self-centered religion that is attractive to our flesh, is not worshipping "the Father in spirit and in truth."
An old man was traveling on an ocean liner when a huge storm blew up without warning. One woman lost her balance and fell overboard. People stood frozen with horror as she struggled in the water. Suddenly, a man plunged into the waves, grabbed her and held her until a rescue boat came. When they were pulled out, everyone was astonished and embarrassed to discover that the hero was the oldest man on the boat; he was in his eighties. That evening they held a party to honor him. When they called on him to make a speech, he rose slowly, looked around at the people for what seemed a long time, then said, "I would like to know just one thing." There was an embarrassed silence and then he went on to ask, "Who pushed me?"
So, it is with us; sometimes we must be pushed to get beyond apathy. Faith in God and obedience to His word leads to selflessness on the part of a Christian who wants to live for the Lord. Selfishness finds its motivation in those things that please me. The benefits of faith are never able to be fully understood or exhausted. We are able to live in this world in a way that pleases God by the help and guidance of the Lord. When that happens, our lives are also pleasing to us and there is a meaning and purpose behind all that happens.
For some strange reason those who knew about the Lord Chose not to know Him personally and follow His revealed word. The mighty works He did for them seemed unimportant, they did not care As far as their lives from day to day, God was not even there Worse even was their lack of appreciation, they had no gratitude "I want to go my own way," was their obvious attitude Bowing down before idols false, the Lord they did provoke The path that leads to pleasing God, deliberately they forsook.
We wonder at such people who know better but have such apathy And in this world where sin abounds, they live in complacency From time to time God allows to come some serious problems, He puts to test Those who claim they are the people of God, but live like all the rest. In ancient days God raised up judges that they might speak for Him In our days now a preacher's work is to warn the people of the dangers of sin Some will listen and respond in faith that they might be forgiven By God's mercy when a person turns in faith, he or she will go to heaven
God only can give a new nature to those who come believing They realize mercy has been shown when truth they are receiving Some turn in remorse and grief because sin has found them out The ones who put their trust in Christ know what grace is all about We cannot change a person's attitude or even the attitude of a nation But God makes all things new to them, by His mercy He gives salvation So we can only do what we can to bring understanding to the lost God, in mercy saves their soul when they realize what salvation cost.
"O God of mercy, may we be able to speak Thy word faithfully tonight so that lost souls will change their attitude and earnestly seek the Lord, repent and believe the Gospel. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."